Video Tutorial: WebMO

The above is a tutorial for students to complete an assignment. This assignment would be after the introduction of Lewis Dot Structures and before VSPER Theory so this tutorial helps the students draw Lewis Structures then build them in WebMO Computational Chemistry Software to calculate the molecule's shape. The goal here is to get the students to notice that the Lewis structures suggest flat molecules but WebMO shows 3D molecules. The assignment has the students drawing different basic molecules so they can see a few different shapes, primarily linear, bent, and tetrahedral.

WebMO is a great tool as a molecule modeler since one can draw and display molecules. However, the program is a front-end solution that connects with various computational chemistry software so research level calculations are accessible to students. There is a bit of a learning curve, but this tutorial should help.

Video tutorials are a handy tool, especially with technology, since students may have various assignments that they will need help with. A tutorial can answer basic questions and solve simple issues. This leaves more time for the teacher to address the bigger problems.